US President Donald Trump’s growing engagement with Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir as a diplomatic channel has been criticised by a foreign policy analyst as a short-sighted approach that could strengthen Pakistan’s military establishment and create wider regional challenges. A report in The Cipher Brief argued that Washington’s strategy risks prioritising immediate diplomatic gains over long-term stability in South Asia and the Middle East.

According to Siddhant Kishore, a Washington-based national security and foreign policy analyst, the Trump administration has increasingly relied on Munir as an intermediary in US-Iran diplomacy. Munir has been hosted at the White House, with US officials highlighting Pakistan’s role in communication efforts and dialogue during periods of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Kishore argued that elevating Munir’s role without demanding greater accountability could unintentionally legitimise Pakistan’s military leadership, which he described as having expanded influence over the country’s political system. He said such engagement may not deliver lasting regional stability and could instead strengthen a power structure that benefits from geopolitical crises and strategic positioning.

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The analyst also raised concerns about Pakistan’s internal political situation under Munir’s leadership, citing allegations of restrictions on democratic freedoms and the use of security forces against dissent. He referred to unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where protests over governance issues and political representation reportedly led to violent clashes and casualties.

Kishore further highlighted developments in Balochistan, including the legal action against activist Mahrang Baloch, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2026 in a case criticised by rights groups. He said such incidents reflected broader concerns about human rights and the increasing role of the military in domestic affairs.

The report also questioned Pakistan’s role in regional diplomacy, particularly regarding Iran and Afghanistan. Kishore said Pakistan’s strategic interests do not always align with those of the United States, pointing to Islamabad’s relationships with China and Iran, tensions with India, and the influence of its military-commercial network.

The analyst warned that Washington’s reliance on Munir as a diplomatic partner could risk empowering a military establishment whose priorities may differ from US objectives. He argued that a sustainable US policy toward Pakistan would require balancing strategic cooperation with accountability, democratic principles, and long-term regional stability.

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